Think twice before ignoring summonses, Penangites told
GEORGE TOWN: Those thinking of ignoring the local councils’ summonses better think twice, warned state Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
“The public should not think that the decision by the court in Temerloh on mini-market owner Subramaniam Gopal means everybody can throw away their summonses.
“The local councils in the state fully complied with the legal provisions under the Federal Constitution and the various Acts when issuing the summonses,” he told a press conference at his office in Komtar yesterday.
Chow Kon Yeow
Chow said those who have been issued with such summonses must pay up or go to court, and not just throw them away.
“Once the councils’ legal officers obtain the consent of the deputy public prosecutor, the offender must attend court as everything is considered legal.”
He was commenting on Subramaniam’s case which was brought to the magistrate’s court again on four charges of running his business without a licence – and again given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal.
On Nov 22, the Sunday Star front-paged the Sept 11 judgment and ramifications for local councils nationwide.
Chow said due to the case he had requested both the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) to report on the procedures to initiate court proceedings.
“Responsible citizens should either acknowledge their fault by settling the fine, or if one is not satisfied they can make an appeal or fight it out in court,” he added.
The Star - Friday November 27, 2009 by MANJIT KAUR
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/11/27/nation/5190936&sec=nation
Daftarlah Sebagai Rakan DAP! 
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